Former official seeks probe of state Ethics Commission

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001 | 8:45 a.m.

A former executive secretary of the Nevada Commission on Ethics has waged an Internet-driven war against her former organization, calling for a federal and state investigation of the board.

Lee-Ann Keever, who claims she was wrongfully dismissed from the commission when it was reorganized in 1999, has written to Gov. Kenny Guinn and the U.S. Department of Justice requesting probes.

Keever is urging others to send a prepared letter requesting that state and federal officials investigate the office. She also has launched her own website (leeannkeever.com).

"Voicing your concerns about the activities of the Nevada State Ethics Commission could result in a positive change for the citizens of Nevada," Keever wrote in an e-mail attached to the prepared letter.

Ethics officials believe Keever's siege on the office was triggered because she lost her job.

Keever, who filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in April 1999, claiming she was targeted because of a whistle-blowing letter sent to Guinn two months earlier, said she simply wants to make Nevada residents aware of problems with the Ethics Commission.

The former executive secretary said her greatest concerns involve conflicts of interest within the office and that the board never approved meeting minutes between 1997 and 1999.

"That affects a broad spectrum of their decision," Keever said Wednesday. "They're (the minutes) not official until they're approved."

Polly Hamilton, who became executive director of the commission after Keever's departure, said she doesn't believe Keever's charges have merit. Hamilton said approval of the minutes is not necessary because meetings are taped and verbatim transcripts are made.

Hamilton said she has heard no details from Keever regarding conflicts of interest.

Until the office is contacted by the state or federal government regarding an investigation, Hamilton said she is not going to pay attention to the claims.

"Based on the fact it's a former employee ...," Hamilton said. "I guess if I had a response, it would be if and when we are under a microscope. At this point, I don't believe we are."

Keith Munro, general counsel for Guinn's office, confirmed that the governor received Keever's letter Wednesday afternoon.

"We have a call into the Ethics Commission," Munro said. "We will be researching some of the things she says in here. We'll be providing a prompt response to Ms. Keever."

In her letter to Guinn, Keever raises concerns that her whistle-blowing complaints were never addressed. She also lists personnel practices that violate state law and cites backlog problems in the office.

Live chat: Tuesday, noon PST; Chat with Krista Creelman; Problem Gambling Center executive director Krista Creelman will answer questions about gambling addiction from Las Vegas Sun readers from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. ... Submit question